Collectibles and History of Coca-Cola


by Christopher P Clark - Date: 2010-08-12 - Word Count: 516 Share This!

The history of Coca Cola began in 1885 with the invention of the original Coca Cola recipe. It was invented by the owner of a chemist's store, John Pemberton, who had previously invented many different medicines or medical drinks. The original formula was altered several times in the first decade or two, including the removal of alcoholic ingredients by the time prohibition began in 1920. In these early years it was said to cure a whole range of ailments including headaches, impotence, and morphine addiction. In face, Coca-Cola was first marketed as a medicine, not as a sugary soft drink.

Early formulas included coca leaf (cocaine), at the rate of about nine milligrams of cocaine in each glass. As the public gradually realized the harmful side of cocaine, the company began reducing the amount of coca leaves used in the recipe to trace amounts, using coca flavoring instead. The coca leaf ingredient wasn't completely removed from the recipe until 1903. The name "Coca-Cola" comes from the coca leaf and from kola nuts, one of the other main flavoring ingredients.

Three different versions of Coca-Cola were on the market by 1888, produced by three separate companies. The Coca-Cola Company was incorporated in 1892, and started selling bottles of Coca-Cola in 1894 and cans in 1955, with the classic Coke bottle shape that remains recognizable today being released back in 1916. Pemberton designed the script lettering of Coca-Cola that millions are familiar with today, but passed away in 1888, well before his Coca-Cola creation achieved worldwide success.

Early vending machines were only capable of handling bottles, and most sold bottles for a nickel. These bottles would be delivered by a Coca-Cola truck, usually red, which became a common weekly sight in many cities.

The Coca-Cola formula remained much the same from 1903 to 1985, when "New Coke" was introduced. This version lasted less than three months due to consumer backlash, and Coca-Cola quickly switched back to the "Coke Classic" formula. This ill-fated experiment was followed in 2005 with "Diet Coke" and "Coca Cola Zero," both of which achieved better sales records than New Coke. Since 2005, several other versions have also been produced. Coca-Cola is sold in more than 200 countries around the globe, and is considered one of the leading soft drink brands.

In part because of this worldwide fan base, Coca-Cola collectibles are very popular. These include soda vending machines, coolers, trays, bottle openers, and other advertising memorabilia. These well-known advertising collectibles nearly always feature a red-and-white Coca Cola emblem with script lettering. The most popular items date from the 1930s through the 1950s; these Coca-Cola collectibles feature classic images, and are even reproduced into modern versions for collectors. In fact, many of these older items are very hard-to-find and can bring a pretty penny when sold. The most popular Coca Cola advertising collectibles include the Santa Claus ad campaigns vintage metal trays, vending machines, and even the bottles themselves. A variety of such products are very popular with collectors, who may focus on a particular era or type of item, or may collect anything bearing the famous Coca Cola emblem.


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